GCE A level
1203/01
GEOGRAPHY – G3
Contemporary Themes and Research in Geography
SECTION A
CONTEMPORARY THEMES
P.M THURSDAY, 17 January 2013
11⁄2 hours
Answer books for Section A will be collected in after
1 ½ hours. Section B Research will then be given out.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS
In addition to this examination paper, you will need one 12 page answer book.
INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES
Use black ink or black ball-point pen.
Answer two questions.
Answer one from each of the two selected themes.
Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the spaces at the top of the front page of
the answer book.
INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES
Each question carries 25 marks.
The number of marks is given in brackets at the end of each question.
You are reminded that assessment will take into account the quality of written communication used
in your answers.
You are reminded that this paper is synoptic and so will assess your ability to draw on your
understanding of the connections between the different aspects of the subject represented in the
geography specification.
THIS PAPER REQUIRES THAT YOU MAKE THE FULLEST POSSIBLE USE OF
EXAMPLES IN SUPPORT OF YOUR ANSWERS. SKETCH-MAPS AND DIAGRAMS
SHOULD BE INCLUDED WHERE RELEVANT.
© WJEC CBAC Ltd.
SJJ*(W13-1203-01)
2
SECTION A: CONTEMPORARY THEMES IN GEOGRAPHY
Answer two questions, one question from questions 1 to 8 and
one question from questions 9 to 16.
Make the fullest possible use of examples in support of your answers.
Answer one question from questions 1 to 8.
Theme 1 Extreme Environments
1. ‘Climate is the key characteristic that makes a desert environment extreme.’ Discuss.
[25]
2. Examine the positive and negative outcomes of human activity in the tundra environment.
[25]
Theme 2 Landforms and their Management
Glacial Environments
3. Examine different processes and landforms associated with climatic fluctuations in glacial
environments.
[25]
4. Assess the success of strategies used to manage glacial environments.
[25]
Coastal Environments
5. Examine the role of sea level change in the development of coastal landforms.
[25]
6. Assess the success of strategies used to manage coastal environments.
[25]
Theme 3 Climatic Hazards
7. Describe and account for the distinctive characteristics of one or more climatic types.
[25]
8. Discuss strategies to reduce the impact of hazards associated with high-pressure systems.
[25]
© WJEC CBAC Ltd.
(1203-01)
3
Answer one question from questions 9 to 16.
Theme 4 Development
9. Account for some of the changes in global patterns of development.
[25]
10. ‘Reducing the development gap has its costs.’ Discuss.
[25]
Theme 5 Globalisation
11. Account for some of the changes in global patterns of manufacturing.
[25]
12. ‘The costs of globalisation outweigh the benefits.’ Discuss.
[25]
Theme 6 Emerging Asia
China
13. Examine the factors affecting the growth of new industries in China.
[25]
14. ‘In China, economic growth is more important than the environment.’ Discuss.
[25]
India
15. Examine the factors affecting the growth of industries in India.
[25]
16. ‘In India, economic growth is more important than the environment.’ Discuss.
[25]
© WJEC CBAC Ltd.
(1203-01)